OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Special Budget Public Hearing - March 9, 2026

Public Meetings — Monday, March 9, 2026
BodyAlexandria, Virginia
SessionPublic Meetings
DateMonday, March 9, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:00:00
Transcript — Verbatim
2:00

Yeah, but someone makes sure we're playing out here.

2:27

I just want to make sure you actually have a check in point.

2:30

Thank you.

3:41

Oh, you can't do that.

4:00

All right, good evening, everyone.

4:02

It is 5 34.

4:05

We are now going to go ahead and begin our public hearing.

4:09

I do want to remind everyone that we need to have everyone seated for safety purposes.

4:15

There is an overflow room if you are unable to find a seat in here, and you can just come out and turn to the left and staff will direct you to the overflow room.

4:24

So Madam Clerk, please call the role.

4:28

Vice Mayor Bagley.

4:29

Councilman McGee.

4:30

Here.

4:30

Councilman Chapman.

4:32

Councilman Elmuby.

4:33

Here.

4:33

Councilwoman Green.

4:36

Okay.

4:36

So before we go into our first speaker, I just want to remind everyone that this is a public meeting for the purpose of conducting the city's business.

4:44

We encourage participation.

4:46

We encourage engagement.

4:47

Signs are appropriate.

4:48

You're able to snap, but we do ask that we keep talking to a minimum in between.

4:53

Also, any disruptions, I will give a warning.

5:00

I will then give a second warning, and if it continues, I will then ask one of our officers from APD to escort you out.

5:03

So I hope that we can do this in a way that's respectful of everyone.

5:07

Also make sure you know that the person who's going after you, they can you can't hear what they're saying if everyone else is speaking.

5:13

But we are looking forward to hearing your perspectives and getting your feedback on our budget.

5:18

I will since this room is a little tricky.

5:25

But here is our podium to my left.

5:28

There will be a little timekeeper right in front of you, and then at the end of three minutes, it will go off.

5:35

In order to keep us moving along, I apologize in advance, but I will I will stop everyone right at three minutes so that everyone has equal time.

5:42

With that, I'm going to call our first um our first speaker.

5:46

Well, actually, I think I have to have you say it first.

5:50

Public hearing on the city manager's proposed annual operating budget for FY 2027, including schools, the proposed capital improvement program.

6:00

CIP for FY2027 to FY2036, including school CIP and the proposed tax rate recommendations.

6:08

Okay.

6:08

Now I will call our first speaker, Michael Schuster.

6:19

Good evening, Mayor Gaskins, City Council members, and Mr.

6:22

City Manager James Parajan.

6:24

My name is Michael Schuster, and I am co-chair of the Alexandria Commission on Aging.

6:30

We support the proposed uh budget provisions maintaining funding for the tax and rental relief programs for older Alexandrians.

6:37

We also thank the uh city manager for providing funding for both food hubs and uh paratransit and increasing funding for the Alexandria Fund for uh human services.

6:47

Our concerns are less uh about what is in the proposed budget than how the city programs for older Alexandrians will be implemented under the proposed budget.

6:56

I want to focus on two programs that are being threatened with reduced participation because of the changes mandated by the federal law known as HR 1.

7:04

Although we have confidence as city agencies who work diligently to soften the impact of these new severe requirements, the need to reduce errors, especially in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, SNAP, creates a tension, potentially adversely affecting the city's uh most vulnerable.

7:20

Today, over 13 percent of uh Alexandrian's population is over the age of 65, up from 9% in 2010.

7:28

Under SNAP, adults must now work or provide community service for 20 hours each week to receive benefits.

7:34

Although there are approximately 12,000 individuals in 6,000 households receiving SNAP benefits today.

7:41

The this only represents about 40 percent of those eligible for SNAP.

7:45

These onerous requirements, as we have seen with similar requirements in Medicaid, will reduce the participation rate even lower for SNAP.

7:53

I hope the City Council and its oversight function will ensure that these requirements do not diminish SNAP participation, especially for older Alexandrians.

8:02

Similar requirements to take effect for adult Medicaid recipients in the Medicaid expansion program on January 1, 2027.

8:10

For example, there are over 400,000 individuals in the Medicaid expansion program, including nearly 50,000 older Virginians, some in Alexandria, adversely impacted by the new onerous work and semi-annual redetermination requirements.

8:25

Again, we hope this the city will implement these uh requirements in a manner that facilitates continued participation in Medicaid.

8:32

In conclusion, the federal policy changes present risk for older participations, older adult participation in these programs.

8:40

For SNAF, the new requirements for 80 hours plus work or volunteerism compared to the monthly benefit allotments, usually about 24 dollars a month, will likely present more strain on the other city uh safety nets, including a live food hubs and other food assistance program.

8:56

As the city finalizes its budget, we want to ensure that this precarious situation between SNAP participation and dependency on food assistant locations is taken into account.

9:08

Similarly, for Medicaid, we request a similar relationship between at-risk coverage status and health care needs for older adults, combined with the older adult uh comprising a growing percentage of the city's population be accounted for in uh in your in your final budget.

9:24

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing████████████████████20%
Education Policy█████████████████17%
Immigration Enforcement████████████████16%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Public Safety███████7%
Community Engagement██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Economic Development████4%
Youth Programs████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Alexandria City Council Special Budget Public Hearing (March 9, 2026)

The Alexandria City Council held a special public hearing on March 9, 2026, at 5:30 PM local time (10:30 UTC) to receive community input on the City Manager's Proposed FY 2027 Operating Budget, the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2027–2036, and proposed tax rate recommendations. The hearing took place in the Council Chambers at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, with remote participation via Zoom. Over 30 speakers addressed the council, focusing on housing affordability, education funding, opposition to the Sheriff's voluntary collaboration with ICE, and other community priorities.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael Schuster (Co-chair, Alexandria Commission on Aging): Expressed support for maintaining tax and rental relief programs for older adults, and concern that new federal work requirements for SNAP and Medicaid would reduce participation, increasing strain on city safety nets like food hubs.
  • Catherine Klinger (former teacher, Children Youth and Families Collaborative Commission): Urged funding for middle school athletics, the Youth in Progress (YIP) mentoring program, and the ALX Beyond program locator; also supported the full 3.5% ACPS budget increase to retain teachers.
  • Natalie Zelaya (Tenants and Workers United): Called for $5 million in housing stability investments, including expansion of emergency rental assistance and the pilot rental subsidy program, arguing that the current $800,000 for housing supply is insufficient.
  • Marta Ventura (mother, construction worker): Described constant worry about paying rent and asked for investment in rental assistance and housing subsidy programs.
  • Mariela Raudelas (single mother, 22-year resident): Asked for $5 million for rental assistance, housing subsidies, and Department of Community and Human Services programs, noting that working families struggle despite full-time work.
  • Bernice Perez (11th grade student): Criticized spending on the Sheriff's Office, especially its collaboration with ICE, and urged more investment in housing to help families like hers.
  • Christopher Cruz (12th grade student): Supported housing subsidies, noting his family lives in Morgan properties and struggles to afford rent.
  • Oliver Moreno (I Side of Alexandria Coalition): Demanded that the council cut the Sheriff's budget due to Sheriff Casey's voluntary collaboration with ICE, which he said undermines community safety.
  • Brandy Yee (Act for Alexandria): Thanked the city for investments in nonprofits, but urged that the Alexandria Fund for Human Services keep pace with inflation (needing ~$2.7 million vs. current $1.9 million).
  • Isabel Schultz (student, CYFCC): Supported the 3.5% ACPS budget increase and funding for YIP, noting overcrowded schools and teacher shortages.
  • Kathleen Sindel (Co-chair, Commission on Employment): Noted that the Workforce Development Center lacks funds to implement the ALX Forward talent pipeline strategy, as it operates at capacity with 174 workshops last year.
  • Tiffany Dixon (parent advocate): Urged the full 3.5% ACPS increase to support teacher collective bargaining and retention; also called for community engagement throughout the process, not just after decisions.
  • Jonathan Kroll (Grassroots Alexandria): Proposed cutting $4 million from the Sheriff's budget and $1 million from school police, redirecting savings to rental assistance and housing subsidies.
  • Sammy Moschenberg (ICE Out of Alexandria): Urged cutting the Sheriff's budget until ICE collaboration ends, citing moral implications and that ICE's deadliest year was 2025 with 32 deaths in custody.
  • Alison Walter (teacher, 13 years at Francis Hammond): Asked for the 3.5% increase for wraparound services, noting that SOL scores won't improve with a transient population and many English learners; she, as a homeowner, offered to pay more taxes.
  • Daniel DePonte (CYFCC): Supported middle school athletics and YIP, arguing that out-of-school time programs are critical for disconnected youth.
  • Dane Lordson: Asked to move money from the Sheriff's Office to housing and public transit.
  • David Ballinger (first-time speaker): Called for cutting the Sheriff's budget due to voluntary ICE collaboration, calling it radical and dishonest.
  • Larissa Zare (Legal Aid Justice Center): Advocated for additional rental assistance before eviction court, noting that pre-court support is more cost-effective and prevents permanent harm; also urged expansion of the pilot rental subsidy program.
  • Rev. Jasmine Wise (Voice): Described housing as a moral issue, asking for the three S's (supply, subsidy, stability) and a bond measure to unlock affordable housing projects.
  • Melissa Kuhnen: Requested increased staffing for code enforcement and parking enforcement, citing violations at construction sites affecting neighborhoods and businesses.
  • Max Carpenter (student): Demanded cutting the Sheriff's budget, warning that ICE collaboration threatens students' rights and safety.
  • David Paladin Fernandez (teacher, Education Association of Alexandria): Criticized both the school board's proposal to cut staff/raise health care and the union leadership's failure to communicate transparently.
  • Howard Vanderloosis (teacher, orchestra): Echoed concerns about educator pay and union transparency, stating that math doesn't add up for retention.
  • Tanawa Downing (civil rights advocate): Issued a legal warning that paying officials who violate the Fifth Amendment (charging by information instead of indictment) constitutes an emolument violation and is a crime; submitted a notice for the record.
  • Melissa Elbert: Detailed deaths in ICE custody in 2025-2026, arguing that Sheriff Casey's collaboration makes Alexandria complicit; urged cutting the Sheriff's budget.
  • Catherine Shulman: Described friends too scared to leave home due to ICE, called for cutting the Sheriff's budget and increasing school funding.
  • Hannah Matuda (Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance): Acknowledged city's progress but said the $11.6 million housing investment is insufficient; urged use of bonding authority, tax abatements, and preservation efforts to meet goals.
  • Karen Daly (small business owner, physical therapist): Asked the city to review business tax rates for professional services, which at $0.58 per $100 of gross receipts is significantly higher than Fairfax ($0.31) and Arlington ($0.36).
  • Rev. Deborah Porras (Voice): Thanked city for supporting faith-in-housing legislation and asked for an affordable housing bond to unlock the $50 million pipeline of approved projects; also urged maintaining rental assistance.
  • Carlisia Cobbins (parent): Supported the 3.5% ACPS increase, noting her son's second-grade class has 27 students and that competitive salaries are needed to retain teachers.

Discussion Items

  • Councilman Gary: Responded to testimony on school funding, stating that the city has consistently increased school funding (citing a slide showing year-over-year percentage increases) and that the school board bears responsibility for how it allocates money; he noted that the city asked all departments for a 1% cut while giving the majority of revenue growth to schools, and questioned why the school board is over budget and cannot fund items like YIP ($100,000) or middle school sports ($500,000) from its own budget.
  • Councilman Aguary: Before moving to close the hearing, requested a budget memo on the trails program, asking about current funding levels and whether cuts or additional funding are needed.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion to close public hearing: Made by Councilman Aguary, seconded by Councilman Chapman, passed unanimously by voice vote.
  • Motion to adjourn: Made by Vice Mayor Bagley, seconded by Councilman Chapman, passed unanimously.
  • No formal votes on budget items were taken; this was a hearing to gather public input. The city council will consider the budget in subsequent meetings, with adoption scheduled for April 29, 2026, and a public hearing on the tax rate ordinance on April 18, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Yeah, but someone makes sure we're playing out here. I just want to make sure you actually have a check in point. Thank you. Oh, you can't do that. All right, good evening, everyone. It is 5 34. We are now going to go ahead and begin our public hearing. I do want to remind everyone that we need to have everyone seated for safety purposes. There is an overflow room if you are unable to find a seat in here, and you can just come out and turn to the left and staff will direct you to the overflow room. So Madam Clerk, please call the role. Vice Mayor Bagley. Councilman McGee. Here. Councilman Chapman. Councilman Elmuby. Here. Councilwoman Green. Okay. So before we go into our first speaker, I just want to remind everyone that this is a public meeting for the purpose of conducting the city's business. We encourage participation. We encourage engagement. Signs are appropriate. You're able to snap, but we do ask that we keep talking to a minimum in between. Also, any disruptions, I will give a warning. I will then give a second warning, and if it continues, I will then ask one of our officers from APD to escort you out. So I hope that we can do this in a way that's respectful of everyone. Also make sure you know that the person who's going after you, they can you can't hear what they're saying if everyone else is speaking. But we are looking forward to hearing your perspectives and getting your feedback on our budget. I will since this room is a little tricky. But here is our podium to my left. There will be a little timekeeper right in front of you, and then at the end of three minutes, it will go off. In order to keep us moving along, I apologize in advance, but I will I will stop everyone right at three minutes so that everyone has equal time. With that, I'm going to call our first um our first speaker. Well, actually, I think I have to have you say it first. Public hearing on the city manager's proposed annual operating budget for FY 2027, including schools, the proposed capital improvement program. CIP for FY2027 to FY2036, including school CIP and the proposed tax rate recommendations. Okay. Now I will call our first speaker, Michael Schuster. Good evening, Mayor Gaskins, City Council members, and Mr. City Manager James Parajan. My name is Michael Schuster, and I am co-chair of the Alexandria Commission on Aging. We support the proposed uh budget provisions maintaining funding for the tax and rental relief programs for older Alexandrians. We also thank the uh city manager for providing funding for both food hubs and uh paratransit and increasing funding for the Alexandria Fund for uh human services. Our concerns are less uh about what is in the proposed budget than how the city programs for older Alexandrians will be implemented under the proposed budget. I want to focus on two programs that are being threatened with reduced participation because of the changes mandated by the federal law known as HR 1. Although we have confidence as city agencies who work diligently to soften the impact of these new severe requirements, the need to reduce errors, especially in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, SNAP, creates a tension, potentially adversely affecting the city's uh most vulnerable. Today, over 13 percent of uh Alexandrian's population is over the age of 65, up from 9% in 2010. Under SNAP, adults must now work or provide community service for 20 hours each week to receive benefits. Although there are approximately 12,000 individuals in 6,000 households receiving SNAP benefits today. The this only represents about 40 percent of those eligible for SNAP.

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